Efficacy of a WeChat-Based Follow-Up Approach in Patients Undergoing Minimally Invasive Treatment for Lower Extremity Varicose Veins.

Abstract

Aim: This study aims to explore the effectiveness of the WeChat-based digital follow-up approach in patients undergoing minimally invasive surgery for lower extremity varicose veins by evaluating postoperative follow-up compliance, incidence of complications, and patient satisfaction with doctor-patient communication to provide evidence-based improved postoperative follow-up approaches.

Methods: This retrospective study enrolled 128 patients who underwent minimally invasive surgery for lower extremity varicose veins between January 2022 and June 2023. According to the postoperative follow-up strategy used, patients were divided into an observation group (n = 66) that received WeChat-based digital follow-up, and a control group (n = 62) that underwent traditional outpatient visits combined with telephone-based follow-up. Patients were followed for 6 months, and postoperative follow-up data were recorded. Adherence with scheduled follow-up, improvements in postoperative symptoms, incidence rate of complications, and patient satisfaction with doctor-patient communication were systematically compared between the two groups.

Results: The observation group had significantly higher follow-up compliance rate (96.97%), greater postoperative symptom improvements both after 3- and 6-month follow-up (95.45% and 98.48%), doctor-patient communication satisfaction (96.97%), and a lower overall incidence of complications (4.55%) compared to the control group (83.87%, 82.26%, 88.71%, 83.87% and 16.13% respectively); similarly, the recurrence rate was significantly lower in the observation group (3.03%) compared with the control group (12.90%) (all p < 0.05).

Conclusions: For patients undergoing minimally invasive surgery for lower limb varicose veins, WeChat-based digital follow-up strategies are associated with higher follow-up compliance, earlier detection of postoperative complications, and higher patient overall satisfaction with doctor-patient communication.